|
So I decided to build a computer for the first time. I got some help from forums and friends and put together a nice rig. After I put it together and booted it up I slowly started to realize something was wrong when trying to patch starcraft 2. During one of the patches it would either freeze and or BSOD. The errors I kept getting were PFN_LIST_CORRUPT, IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL and the occasional USB driver error or something. After some googling I determined that it was either drivers or a hardware problem(most likely ram or mb). Well I've run RAM checks for long periods of time and found nothing, starcraft2 runs through the editor and switcher. All other games have no problem running. So last night I decided to try a fresh windows 7 install (the hd came with windows xp sp3). That made things worse, apparently my computer doesn't like windows 7.. it woudlnt even install without bluescreening to either of the mentioned errors. So after like 3 hours of more ram checks and trying to install w7 I decided to try XP. XP installed fine but now my computer sometimes randomly restarts which makes me really lean on a hardware issue, and I did update all the drivers (I think!).
So basically im in a pickle now, the RMA 30 day thing is coming up quickly, 28th i think. And now I have to go back to Calgary for more business... so I'm not sure if I'll get a chance to figure out what it really is...
Advice?
How do I test a motherboard?
SPECS:
Intel X25-M Mainstream 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167023
CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145218
i5-750 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215
Gigabyte ATI 5850
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125318
GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128425
eXtreme Power Plus 600W
http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=5906
|
I have a computer help Blog built for this sort of thing, I'm starting to think I should have tried posting it in general or starcraft 2 forum.
Anyhow,what RAM check did you use to determine your ram was fine?
Also, what are the specs on the computer itself?
My initial feelings: That large array of errors = Motherboard issue, but it doesn't mean it's broken. I would like you to post the specs before I decide to tell you to RMA it.
|
I used both ramtest86(version 3.4, 3.5 kept freezing) and the windows memory diagnostic that was on the windows 7 cd
|
3.5 kept freezing because you are not meant to use that version with 4gb or more of RAM. How many full cycles of memtest86 did you complete before you decided everything was fine? Did you encounter any errors with version 3.4 whatsoever?
What is the capacity of your current power supply?
To clarify, you WERE experiencing some sort of issue with both versions of windows?
Have you used this harddrive on a previous computer, or was it bought new for this current setup?
|
Nevermind, I see it now. It's not a power supply issue from a technical can-do standpoint.
|
Updated list above with power supply (600W coolmaster)
I couldnt even install windows 7, and yes im experiencing some problems with XP before i formatted the harddrive again windows was pretty stable just BSOD/froze when I tried to patch SC2. Now on this install it randomly freezes, SC2 still doesn't patch. When I'm actually playing the games it runs fine though, doesn't freeze or restart. I've checked CPU temp, it's fine 50C.
All parts are brand new.
|
Right now I'm leaning on RMA. but if I do RMA should I RMA a bunch of stuff to be safe since I'm not sure the exact problem. I don't have much time now unfortunately because I have to go to work soon and I leave for my business trip tomorrow at 9pm.. so if I'm going to ship anything it has to be done tomorrow.
Is there any simple way of testing a motherboard?
|
Well with that particular group of errors I don't expect to find any heat issues, but it is always nice to see the person with the problem interjecting with their random known knowledge. 
Let's give this a try.. Wipe the SSD, not just format, full wipe. Sometimes when mixing up drivers, and installing things, information can collide with eachother. I double checked all your compatability, it seems fine. This is a solid working system on paper. (In fact I would say the SSD is a little over the top for this setup, if it wasn't for the Quad Core actually being able to pump data fast enough to get solid use out of it.)
I am looking up safe instructions for the wipe now, please standby for a post edit. Hang tight.
Edit: Okay, the purpose of the SSD wipe is just to eliminate it from possibly being the cause of any problems. More often than not I find that a clean wipe of an HDD can save the aches and pains of many issues of data conflict, so let's just do this wipe, than try reinstalling windows 7 and see where it gets us, okay? Sometimes HD formats through windows cause drives to be incredibly unstable.
The program can be found here:
http://forum.hddguru.com/hdderase-t9993.html
Also make sure AHCI is ON in the bios.
Instructions for that can be found here:
http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=444831
After this is done, I am unsure how long it takes with SSD's but it can't be longer than an HDD, install windows 7, and use it as you normally would until you get an error. After that, reboot the machine again until you get an error that is either the same, or a different error.
I am counting on two possibilities here:
1) This fixes the problem
2) This will rule the SDD out of being an issue, and allowing us to move forward.
Thank you and best of luck,
Joey.
|
Oh btw I ran memtest86 for an entire night while i was sleeping.. I think it went through about 50 cycles 5000%? And then I ran the bootable one from the CD while i was at work during the day
|
On June 20 2010 00:50 jamaZn wrote:
Oh btw I ran memtest86 for an entire night while i was sleeping.. I think it went through about 50 cycles 5000%? And then I ran the bootable one from the CD while i was at work during the day
I edited my previous post with SSD instructions. If this is the case than you are fine. Properly functioning ram can cycle through memtest for weeks at a time without recieving an error, assuming the heating on the ram fins are being properly 'discarded' or cooled. Whatever.
|
Thanks Joey, will get right on this!
|
The PFN error sounds like a software problem, especially since you were able to install things the first time around. Still, eliminate components as a factor. Try installing on a regular HDD and see how that runs.
|
On June 20 2010 01:06 a176 wrote:
The PFN error sounds like a software problem, especially since you were able to install things the first time around. Still, eliminate components as a factor. Try installing on a regular HDD and see how that runs.
I was thinking about doing this, I do have a hard drive from my old desktop but the HD is pretty new.
|
Well if you have spare parts and want to forego testing and wiping the previous SSD, by all means use the old one. Make sure it's clean though, or it's really just another variable, unless you get the exact carbon copy of the same error arrays and issues.
|
So when I load up the boot CDROM for HDDerase it goes into some ASPI: PCI drivers crap and it doesnt find any drivers and just aborts.. and doesn't run (also had to take out 1 stick of memory for it to run at all)
|
Wait... what? Had to take a stick of memory out for it to run?
|
None of that sounds good, simply try a previous HDD and install windows on your system, see what happened.
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPT
